Social isolation is severely impacting the health of our elderly members of the community, resulting in sometimes irreversible damage.
Isolation can come from a variety of situations, including the loss of a partner, being housebound from chronic health issues and cognitive problems like dementia and losing the ability to drive independently.
These forms of isolation can lead to anxiety and depression, negatively impacting a person’s ability to contribute to the community and live autonomously.
The health problems are worsening and have even been compared to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Professor Andrew Beer who is heading a study at the University of Adelaide says social isolation “is more harmful than not exercising and twice as harmful as obesity”.
“Social isolation is equivalent to the health effects of smoking 15 cigarettes a day or consuming more than six alcoholic drinks daily,” he said.
These problems are exacerbated for elderly people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background when tailored services are hard to come by.
Organisations that provide services in another language are few and far between and are being overstretched with the rise of demand thanks to an aging population.
“It is estimated that 20 per cent of older Australians are socially isolated,” Professor Beer says, and that figure is set to rise.
Currently, the Australian Greek Welfare Society (AGWS) and Fonditha Care are organisations that offer services that cater to social isolation for elderly Greeks.
They organise planned activity groups that offer companionship, group entertainment programs and excursions that keep minds active while socialising in a safe environment.
Most of these programs are staffed by volunteers, who give their time to help the elderly of the community to feel connected to the outside world.
Carers are also dispatched to help the elderly with tasks they might not be able to accomplish like shopping for groceries and the essentials.
The AGWS also provides a respite program which gives carers the opportunity to have a break from their caring responsibilities for up to 4 hours a week.
This means that if a daughter for example who is the primary carer for an elderly parent needs a break from certain tasks that they readily undertake with or for the parent the respite program can assist.
These programs are in high demand, and require new volunteers constantly.
To become a volunteer at Fonditha Care, contact Anges Karazisis via email at agnesk@fronditha.org or call 0418 414 749.
If you know someone who is lonely and needs support and assistance in accessing social and recreational activities, or would like to help in the AGWS’ programs please contact Nina Xarhakos on 9388 9998.